dead lincoln tombstone

[rankrank1]

Great to hear you got it working. Typically if a Lincoln buzzbox has issues it is in that selector switch. There are several "how to's" post on the web on cleaning that switch to make it perform like new (usually zero cost, but parts are available if needed).

Regarding placing the leads: Every manufacturer almost universally recommends extending the input power to the machine with a suitable extension cord on the buzzbox class of machines instead of extending the welding leads. I personally would not be afraid to go a little longer than stock on the welding leads but I would not go hog wild on the welding lead lengths either.

 

[Shield Arc]

Regarding placing the leads: Every manufacturer almost universally recommends extending the input power to the machine with a suitable extension cord on the buzzbox class of machines instead of extending the welding leads.

Really? That strange, wonder why they say that?:confused3: Maybe I'm to use to having a couple hundred feet of welding lead stretched out.

 

[muddstopper]

It may be because its cheaper to make up and extention cord than it is to add a bunch of new lead to the welder. Could be the cables size on the welder is already sized for their length and they are afraid that anyone adding more cable might not size it appropriately for the length they are wishing to add. You wouldnt want to add 200ft of #2 cable to a buzzbox, but someone could if they thought it would let them weld something down by the fence instead of inside the shop.

 

[rankrank1]

Really? That strange, wonder why they say that?:confused3: Maybe I'm to use to having a couple hundred feet of welding lead stretched out.

The key words in my previous statement are for "the buzzbox class of machines" which I should have elaborated further on. I have yet to read a Lincoln tombstone AC225, Lincoln AC225/DC125, Miller Thunderbolt Top crank AC225/DC150, Modern Miller Thunderbolt front crank AC225/DC160, or Hobart AC225/DC160 manual that did not universally recommend extending the input power leads over extending the length on the welding leads. Lengths and wire size recommendations are even provided in some but not all manuals for these cords.

My best guess is the manufacturers make this recommendation to help combat voltage drop. Extending length on the input driven at 230 volts will be hardly noticeable compared to voltage drop on the output leads. (typical output of a buzzer only at 80 OCV and dropping to less than 30 or so volts on welding).

The fire breathing dragon class of welding machines that you are used to operating are perfectly fine with several hundred feet of welding leads attached as they are a totally different class of welding machine.

 

[Shield Arc]

The key words in my previous statement are for "the buzzbox class of machines" which I should have elaborated further on. I have yet to read a Lincoln tombstone AC225, Lincoln AC225/DC125, Miller Thunderbolt Top crank AC225/DC150, Modern Miller Thunderbolt front crank AC225/DC160, or Hobart AC225/DC160 manual that did not universally recommend extending the input power leads over extending the length on the welding leads. Lengths and wire size recommendations are even provided in some but not all manuals for these cords.

My best guess is the manufacturers make this recommendation to help combat voltage drop. Extending length on the input driven at 230 volts will be hardly noticeable compared to voltage drop on the output leads. (typical output of a buzzer only at 80 OCV and dropping to less than 30 or so volts on welding).

The fire breathing dragon class of welding machines that you are used to operating are perfectly fine with several hundred feet of welding leads attached as they are a totally different class of welding machine.

Another member here PM'd me to say it was a voltage drop issue, and maybe to hold the cost down from buying welding leads. Funny I always have a tendency to think of what I've seen and done. I don't have a lot of experience with buzz box machines.

"Fire breathing", I like that! :thumbsup:

 

[Arc weld]

Lincoln buzz boxes in particular come with pretty short cables. I don't know why voltage drop would be any different on a buzz box but I thought that's why they make different size welding cable? Bigger cable not only carries more amps but also lowers voltage drop. I guess it depends on how long of cables you're talking about, then cost could be a factor.

 

[jrdepew]

A good crimp is every bit as good or better than a soldered joint. The crimp can be tight enough to eliminate corrosion. The problem with some soldering jobs is that the solder can wick up the wire, creating a point that will be likely to break with a lot of flexing. Not a huge issue unless you are feeding a whole pound of solder in per joint, which I swear is exactly what some people try to do.

I'm betting the suggestion of a longer extension cord is based on voltage drop and conductor heating. The input current to welders is generally much lower than the output current. If the current through a conductor is lower then the voltage drop across that cable will be lower, and you will get less conductor heating.

Joe